Meghan Bartels
@meghanbartels.bsky.social
News reporter at @sciam.bsky.social (posts are my fault). Book person, cat person, etc. Georgetown alumna, SHERP34. In NYC. Signal: mbartels.07. she/her http://meghanbartels.github.io/portfolio/
Pinned
Meghan Bartels
@meghanbartels.bsky.social
· Jul 15
The Bird Flu Story No One Is Telling
Bird flu fears have focused on the poultry and dairy industries and human health. But wild animals are threatened, too—at scales no one fully understands
www.scientificamerican.com
Amid bird flu fears about egg prices, viral milk and human pandemic risks, there's a piece missing--the impact on wildlife, which I covered for @sciam.bsky.social : 🧪 🪶 www.scientificamerican.com/article/bird...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
yes people call the friday after thanksgiving Brown Friday.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
yes people call the friday after thanksgiving Brown Friday.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
yes plumbers get lots of holiday calls.
yes it's because you overwork your disposals, pour fat/gravy/grease in your sink, and clog hosts' toilets.
holidays are hard enough as it is.
don't make them harder.
Science says eat more pie: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/whic...
Which Thanksgiving Pie Gives You the Biggest Sugar Rush?
Scientific American asked experts which type of Thanksgiving pie spikes blood sugar the most—and how to eat healthier while still enjoying the holidays
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Science says eat more pie: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/whic...
!!! OMG love it
November 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
!!! OMG love it
I set a reminder to be sure I posted this pun, never think I don't care about you.
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I set a reminder to be sure I posted this pun, never think I don't care about you.
Scientists have a whole new understanding of how the overlooked lichen helped plants turn Earth's land green. Which means, ahem! Please lichen subscribe to our excellent news stories!!! 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/this...
This Fossil Is Rewriting the Story of How Plants Spread across the Planet
An enigmatic group of fossil organisms has finally been identified—and is changing the story of how plants took root on land
www.scientificamerican.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Scientists have a whole new understanding of how the overlooked lichen helped plants turn Earth's land green. Which means, ahem! Please lichen subscribe to our excellent news stories!!! 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/this...
What you need to know about the first bird flu death in humans since January and the virus subtype behind it: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/firs...
First Human Dies of Rare H5N5 Bird Flu Strain. Here’s What You Need to Know
H5N1 bird flu has been circulating in U.S. wildlife since late 2021 but has caused only one human fatality. Now a different type of bird flu has also caused a death
www.scientificamerican.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
What you need to know about the first bird flu death in humans since January and the virus subtype behind it: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/firs...
What you need to know about this year's flu season: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
A New Flu Variant May Make Cold Season Brutal This Year
U.S. flu rates remain low, but experts are keeping an eye on a new strain that’s been linked to unexpectedly early and severe seasons in several other countries
www.scientificamerican.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
What you need to know about this year's flu season: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
People on here are constantly sharing screenshots of stories they think are important without linking to the original work, and then wondering why the media ecosystem is so broken. If you can't be bothered to even link to the work you're sharing, you're part of the problem!
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
People on here are constantly sharing screenshots of stories they think are important without linking to the original work, and then wondering why the media ecosystem is so broken. If you can't be bothered to even link to the work you're sharing, you're part of the problem!
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
CORRECTION: A *third* potato has been named after Prince.
November 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
CORRECTION: A *third* potato has been named after Prince.
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
every year someone does a study that’s like “we gave 100 homeless ppl money and their lives improved” and every year the government kills that guy
November 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
every year someone does a study that’s like “we gave 100 homeless ppl money and their lives improved” and every year the government kills that guy
COP30 just wrapped and the Paris Agreement turns 10 this year. Here's where we are on climate: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
5 Charts Show Climate Progress as Paris Agreement Turns 10
The 2015 Paris Agreement forged a path for the world to stave off the worst climate change scenarios. Here’s where we stand 10 years later
www.scientificamerican.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
COP30 just wrapped and the Paris Agreement turns 10 this year. Here's where we are on climate: 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
That's just ... so fast. Hurricane Melissa really was an incredible storm. 🧪
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
Hurricane Melissa’s 252-mph Gust Sets New Wind Record
Hurricane Melissa raged as a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean last month—and now scientists have confirmed that its strongest gusts neared record speeds
www.scientificamerican.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
That's just ... so fast. Hurricane Melissa really was an incredible storm. 🧪
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
(by @meghanbartels.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social)
Mouth...tape...I don't want to know. 🫣
November 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Mouth...tape...I don't want to know. 🫣
Is photosynthesis 800 million years older than scientists thought? 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-u...
AI Uncovers Oldest-Ever Molecular Evidence of Photosynthesis
A machine-learning breakthrough could lift the veil on Earth’s early history—and supercharge the search for alien life
www.scientificamerican.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Is photosynthesis 800 million years older than scientists thought? 🧪 www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-u...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
It seems to have gotten lost in the MeToo backlash but sexual harassment is in fact illegal
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
It seems to have gotten lost in the MeToo backlash but sexual harassment is in fact illegal
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
Come hangout with me this Thursday at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn to talk about gay animals, huge trees, what Greek literature tells us about climate change and being pissed off about stuff!!
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
Get a sneak peek at some of @sciam.bsky.social favorite books of the year on November 20th 7:30pm ET at @greenlightpod.bsky.social 📚
🆓 🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/the-scient...
🆓 🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/the-scient...
The Scientific American 2025 Nonfiction Panel
Scientific American partners with Greenlight to highlight some of the year's best nonfiction!
www.eventbrite.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Come hangout with me this Thursday at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn to talk about gay animals, huge trees, what Greek literature tells us about climate change and being pissed off about stuff!!
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
RSVP link below 😇 get there early for a seat 😘
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
🚨NEW: A massive new study found no link between exposure to recommended levels of fluoride and IQ decline in children. Over the past year, Health Secretary RFK Junior has claimed that fluoride causes IQ loss, neuro disorders and bone cancer, among other issues.
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
Massive Study Finds No Link Between Fluoride in Tap Water and Lower Child IQ
Researchers tracked thousands of Americans for decades, finding no links between ingesting recommended levels of fluoride and lower cognitive skills
www.scientificamerican.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:16 PM
🚨NEW: A massive new study found no link between exposure to recommended levels of fluoride and IQ decline in children. Over the past year, Health Secretary RFK Junior has claimed that fluoride causes IQ loss, neuro disorders and bone cancer, among other issues.
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
My story for @sciam.bsky.social 🧪
They taught birds to chirp like R2-D2. FOR SCIENCE. Do NOT miss the video, incredible work. 🧪 🪶 www.scientificamerican.com/article/thes...
These Birds Learned to Tweet Like R2-D2. Listen to the Uncanny Results
The lovable Star Wars droid is helping to shed light on why some bird species are better at mimicking sounds than others
www.scientificamerican.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
They taught birds to chirp like R2-D2. FOR SCIENCE. Do NOT miss the video, incredible work. 🧪 🪶 www.scientificamerican.com/article/thes...
I love this question!
November 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I love this question!
Whether you caught last week's aurora or missed out, if you want to know where we are in the solar cycle and what could come next on the sun activity front, here's the status report you need: 🧪 🔭 www.scientificamerican.com/article/afte...
After Last Week’s Spectacular Auroras, What’s Next for the Sun?
The sun’s current 11-year activity cycle has already peaked—but extreme outbursts from our star may still be in store
www.scientificamerican.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Whether you caught last week's aurora or missed out, if you want to know where we are in the solar cycle and what could come next on the sun activity front, here's the status report you need: 🧪 🔭 www.scientificamerican.com/article/afte...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
this, all day right now
(unmute, it’s a bop)
(unmute, it’s a bop)
November 19, 2025 at 2:32 AM
this, all day right now
(unmute, it’s a bop)
(unmute, it’s a bop)
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
just learned we won an award for our blog post about Tom Holland and stormwater management.
remember, when you see an article about stormwater management, you repost it. i don’t make the rules.
remember, when you see an article about stormwater management, you repost it. i don’t make the rules.
What Tom Holland’s historic lip-sync showcase taught us about stormwater management
Grab your umbrella and your tights.
neorsd.medium.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:22 AM
just learned we won an award for our blog post about Tom Holland and stormwater management.
remember, when you see an article about stormwater management, you repost it. i don’t make the rules.
remember, when you see an article about stormwater management, you repost it. i don’t make the rules.
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
In @sciam.bsky.social December issue @bethgardiner.bsky.social shows readers why Big Oil is so interested in Big Plastic 🧪 📚 If you're looking for more to read on plastic, power and pollution check out why I recommend these 5 books
www.scientificamerican.com/article/five...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/five...
Five Essential Books on Plastic, Power, and Pollution
If you enjoyed Beth Gardiner’s feature about big oil’s bet on plastics, here are more books curated by Scientific American
www.scientificamerican.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM
In @sciam.bsky.social December issue @bethgardiner.bsky.social shows readers why Big Oil is so interested in Big Plastic 🧪 📚 If you're looking for more to read on plastic, power and pollution check out why I recommend these 5 books
www.scientificamerican.com/article/five...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/five...
Reposted by Meghan Bartels
As temperatures drop, I urge New Yorkers to know their rights to heat and hot water services, and to reach out to my office if their rights are being violated.
No New Yorker should be left without their home utilities as days and nights grow colder.
No New Yorker should be left without their home utilities as days and nights grow colder.
November 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM
As temperatures drop, I urge New Yorkers to know their rights to heat and hot water services, and to reach out to my office if their rights are being violated.
No New Yorker should be left without their home utilities as days and nights grow colder.
No New Yorker should be left without their home utilities as days and nights grow colder.